I remain highly skeptical about the durability (both electronic and scratches) about foldable screens.
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Samsung Launches New Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 Smartphones
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Depending on wear you live an iPhone 13 Pro is a $2K phone and considered niche as well by its price alone, not by sales of course.You want a $2000 iPhone?
These foldables are very niche. A huge bulk of Android phones on the market are the $300-$400 mid range slabs. The iPhone will milk money for years to come.
Remember there is still the Galazy S lineup of candy bar style smartphones that directly compete with iPhone SE, iPhone, and iPhone Pro and Pro Max at much cheaper prices, these have no competition aka niche but their quickly becoming mainstream. Their a precursor into the future.
Some Carriers and some models there are crazy apps preinstalled. Not sure just what is Samsung driven vs other venues.
Essential you can only disable. Non-Essential you can uninstall.
You can uninstall Essentials but it requires a bit more work.
Yet as we all just found out the A chips are pants when it comes to multitasking, so speed is not everything
I wonder how many people at Samsung can clearly articulate what problem does a foldable phone solve and at what cost.
Steve Jobs once said all products are "degrees of emphasis". One feature/element is weighted higher than others and so on. That's obvious.
With a foldable product like a phone there are dramatically more downsides than benefits. And downsides like durability are not solvable, potentially, at all.
Remember netbooks? I'm certain foldable phones will go down in history as a similar product. And Apple will never release one. They won't do it exactly because they didn't do a touch macbook. This form-factor does not benefit a user significantly enough (and this is key) than what we have now.
I'll quote Steve again. Introducing iPad he said "new category of product has to be far better at certain tasks than a laptop otherwise is has no reason for being".
Foldable phones, in my opinion, have no reason for being.
Let's wait and see.
PS. I would consider a foldable phone new category product, not a continuation of iPhone.
Steve Jobs once said all products are "degrees of emphasis". One feature/element is weighted higher than others and so on. That's obvious.
With a foldable product like a phone there are dramatically more downsides than benefits. And downsides like durability are not solvable, potentially, at all.
Remember netbooks? I'm certain foldable phones will go down in history as a similar product. And Apple will never release one. They won't do it exactly because they didn't do a touch macbook. This form-factor does not benefit a user significantly enough (and this is key) than what we have now.
I'll quote Steve again. Introducing iPad he said "new category of product has to be far better at certain tasks than a laptop otherwise is has no reason for being".
Foldable phones, in my opinion, have no reason for being.
Let's wait and see.
PS. I would consider a foldable phone new category product, not a continuation of iPhone.
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Probably from free or low cost phones. Comparing the market share of similarly priced phones would yield a different result.
I can appreciate Apple's reserved approach to innovation.
You realize you will spend $1799 for a folding phone with a processor and camera on par with last years S22 Plus model yes?
You are either paying an Apple Tax, or a Samsung folding phone tax.
Looking at a Flip3 my other half has since launch.
At least on this specific device I would say you are incorrect.
With discounts her Flip 3 was reasonably mid-range priced.
They come with a "plastic" sp installed that can be easily replaced if needed.
BTDT - piece of cake.
They will have problems adjusting to changing temperatures. Very cold, crack. Very hot, creasey and waves deformations.
Firstly the processor is different on the Fold 4
Secondly those who are able to eliminate multiple devices by having a Fold are getting a tax rebate LOL
This is so true Die hard Apple fans slam the competition saying things are irrelevant or a waste of time etc. Wether it was 3g, large screen phones, multitasking, widgets (This was a biggy for 10 years!), Live wallpapers, oled, side button fingerprint scanners....and now folding phones.
I have to say I have a labour Intensive job and my z fold 3 is fine like new just like the day I got it 9 months ago second hand for £790 here in the UK with 2 years warranty.
Come on Apple fans, Credit where credit is due on Folding phones.
For me the z fold 3 onwards are the best business/productivity phones, best entertainment phones and are the best retro gaming handheld systems. Best Gaming phones too due to voice of screen sizes.
I like Androids and I want folding phones to succeed. But every release of the Z Fold and Flip has always had permanent line creases. Hell some of them even broke in the hands of reviewers. Because of this and their price I just cannot take that gamble.
Z flip 3 phone with black line across screen at fold/crease of screen and top half of screen is unresponsive and phone is new
I just bought the z flip 3 phone for ny daughter thru best buy not even 2 months ago and she just brought phone to me crying bc there is a black line across screen at crease and now the top part of screen isn't responsive at all. She didn't do anything for this to be caused. Before I handed her...eu.community.samsung.com
Galaxy Z Flip 3 diary: Foldable durability has a ways to go, despite Samsung's admirable efforts
Foldables have come a long way in durability, but the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and its ultra-thin glass are a good reminder there's still work to do.9to5google.com
Again, some literally broke in the hands of reviewers immediately. Mass reports of the line returning began two months into the phone's life and on average always begins two months after purchase.
Everything I say is based off actual people who got the phones. But hey if you want to continue phone warring and denying it be my guest. I can't stop you there. If you like the phone, then enjoy it. But it's too much of a gamble for myself and many others here to jump in, especially at it's cost.
Not saying you are right or wrong, all new tech has growing pains. I went through 5 iPad Pro 12.9 Gen 1 for screen failures. I will say Samsung has crappy customer service.
Still - when it comes to durability;
Interesting challenge ...
It solves the problem of my iPad Mini not working after I fold it to fit in my pocket.
i'm an apple die hard but my convictions remain true even after apple adopts "innovations", i still don't want/need/care for smart watches, live home screens, etc. i care for quality materials, durability, stability, battery life.
as far as innovation goes, i'll care when it appeals to me.
I like that ring case they have for the Flip 4. Someone needs to do a clasp version of that. Make it a little heavy duty so people can stick it on their bags.
very minor upgrades from fold 3 and flip 3. good options for those on older devices. annoying crease is basically not improved.